‘Long live the king’ as new drag bar opens in resort

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Published:07:00Updated:17:18Tuesday 02 June 2015

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Long live the king!

That is the message from the owners of a new drag king bar that is pledging to shake up the gay scene in Blackpool town centre.

Frankie Du Mongh and Sue Northover prepare to open their new drag king bar in High Street, Blackpool

Kings, on High Street, is thought to be the first venue of its kind in the UK, run by women for women.

While drag queens are a staple of the entertainment offering in the resort for the LGBT community, their gender opposite are less well catered for.

But drag kings – women who dress up as men – are becoming increasingly popular, and performers are making a name for themselves all over the world.

Because of this, Kings owners Sue Northover and her partner Frankie Du Mongh, believe they have found a gap in the market.

Ms Northover, a drag king herself, said: “We wanted to open in Blackpool because it is the Vegas of the UK.

“The response so far has been fantastic.”

The bar, in which men are only allowed as guests, is open for business already, but has its official launch during Pride Weekend, which takes place in Blackpool on June 13 and 14.

Kings is described as an LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) friendly bar for women.

Ms Northover said: “We are opening the first drag king bar in the UK to raise more awareness and access for people to perform as and understand drag kings, as they are a part of the LGBTI community, who have sadly been under-represented in entertainment, and misunderstood in their everyday life.”

The bar is hosted by internationally-renowned drag king and DJ Rogue, and features female performers from around the world. It also offers drag king workshops for anyone interested in having a go themselves.

Ms Northover said she was looking forward to a busy weekend during the Blackpool Pride Festival. She added: “The numbers were are anticipating for Pride Weekend are huge.

“We have had a lot of positive responses from companies that run women’s events right across the country. I have been coming to Blackpool for years, and I have loved the gay scene here.